Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Six Weeks To A Better Butt

The Better Butt Diet: Super 6-Week Plan

You need to consume fewer calories than you burn, but that doesn't mean starving yourself and eating as little as possible.

The key to manipulating nutrition is eating the correct foods in the correct amounts at the correct times. If you use a weight-loss designed nutrition program, you're automatically on track with this necessary piece of the formula.

WEEK 11. Walking Lunges -- Stand with your feet hips-width apart, grasp a pair of dumbbells or cans with your arms straight at your sides, palms facing your body. Take a long step forward and lower your body so your front knee lines up with your ankle. The back knee is almost touching the floor. Push off with your back foot and take a long step forward with your other foot. Walk-lunge 15 steps and then turn around and return to the start (one set). You should contract your glutes on the lowering of each movement. Perform two sets on two alternate days per week.

2. Power Walking -- Power Walk for 30 minutes. Generally, a good speed is between 3.5 and 4.0 mph on a treadmill. You're walking briskly, but you should still be able to hold a conversation. Begin slowly and build to your max speed. Walk for 30 minutes four days per week.

3. Eat breakfast every morning. This will help to regulate blood sugar and help to prevent binge eating.

WEEK 21. Walking Lunges -- Use the same parameters as week 1. Perform two sets on two alternate days per week.

2. Extension Step Ups -- Grasp a pair of dumbbells or cans by your sides with palms facing the side of the body. Stand behind a 6- to 12-inch high step or bench (normally used in aerobic step classes) and keep your arms straight. Step onto the middle of the step with your right foot and then lift your left knee high (to hip height). Step down with your left foot, and then repeat on the right side. Perform one set of 15 steps on each leg -- two alternate days of the week.

3. Power Walking -- Increase the time to 37 minutes and keep the days the same (four days per week).

4. Assess Your Pantry/Refrigerator -- Eliminate foods that you tend to binge on and that have empty calories .

WEEK 31. Walking Lunges -- Perform three sets on two alternate days per week.

2. Extension Step Ups -- Increase to two sets but keep to two alternate days per week.

3. Power Walking -- Add a fifth walking day and keep the time the same (37 minutes).

4. Water -- Consume 64 or more ounces per day.

WEEK 41. Squats -- (Eliminate the Walking Lunge exercise). Place a broom stick or barbell across the back of your shoulders. Be sure it's not resting on your neck. Your feet should be shoulders-width apart. Lower the weight, keeping your knees behind the toes at all times. Think of sitting back into a chair and contract the glutes on the lowering phase. Stop when the knees are at a 90-degree angle. Return to the starting position and repeat.

Inhale while lowering the weight, and exhale while returning to the starting position. Do not let the knees ride over your toes (you should be able to see your feet at all times), and don't arch your back. Perform two sets of 15 reps on two alternate days per week.

2. Extensions Step Ups -- Remain with three sets but add a third day (alternate days of the week).

3. Power Walking -- Increase the time to 40 minutes and keep the days the same (five days).

WEEK 51. Squats -- Increase the sets to three and increase the reps to 20 (two alternate days per week).

2. Extensions Step Ups -- Perform three sets but increase the reps to 20 (three alternate days per week).

3. Bent Knee Push ups -- Start with your hands and knees on a mat. Your hands should be shoulder width apart and your head, neck, hips and legs should be in a straight line. Do not let your back arch and cave in. Lower your upper body by bending your elbows outward, stopping before your face touches the floor. Contracting the chest muscles, slowly return to the starting position. Perform one set of six to 10 reps or as many as you can do on two alternate days per week.

4. Power Walking -- Increase the time to 45 minutes and keep the days the same (five days).

5. Carbohydrates -- Slightly decrease the amount of starchy carbohydrates at two of your meals. For example, if you're having pasta for dinner, decrease your normal serving.

WEEK 61. Squats -- Continue with three sets but increase the reps to 22 (two alternate days per week).

2. Extension Step Ups -- Perform three sets but increase the reps to 22 (three alternate days per week).

3. Bent Knee Push ups -- Perform two sets as many as possible. Increase to three alternate days per week.

4. Power Walking -- Add a sixth day and perform 45 minutes each day.

5. Brown Bag -- If you work outside of the home, bring a bagged, healthy lunch at least three times this week.

About Me

I am a Mom of 4 sons and I stay busy with exercise, reading, knitting and just generally spending time with my family. I find that staying fit and eating healthy meals keeps me young and ailment free. Following a healthy lifestyle is something I will ALWAYS have in my life. Live for today and NO looking back! :-)